Europe Explored » elbe river

Magdeburg Water Bridge in Germany – the longest navigable aqueduct in the world (918m)

Claire — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:29:42 +0000

Magdeburg Water Bridge (Wasserstrassenkreuz Magdeburg) is really unique bridge – it is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. Its structure is crossing over the Elbe River in Hohenwarthe near the city of Magdeburg, Germany. As one of the few in the world it was not designed for vehicle traffic, but for the ships! This is indeed, as the name predicts, the water bridge or channel.

Magdeburg Water Bridge was opened in 2003 and connects Berlin’s inland harbour network with the ports along the Rhine river. The bridge also allows the traffic of larger ships. This unique bridge is able to support even the heaviest boats and also to withstand the winter ice.

Its length is 918m, depth 4.25m and width is up to 34 m. The construction took €500 milion and used 24,000 tonnes of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete.

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Pančava waterfall – the highest waterfall in the Czech republic

Claire — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:59:10 +0000

Pančava waterfall is, with a total height of 145 meters, the highest waterfall in the Czech republic, located in Krkonoše Mountains (Giant Mountains). Pančava waterfall drops from the Pančavská Meadows to Elbe Valley where it joins the Elbe River. It is a typical waterfall formed on the side wall of glacial valleys. Pančava waterfall is composed of several cascades (36, 40, 23 and 20 meters) and has quite a complicated profile. The overall slope of the waterfall is 45°.

General information about Pančava waterfall

Height: 145 m
Flow: 35 l per second
Overall slope: 45 °
Flow: Elbe river
Altitude: 1155 – 1300 meters above the sea level

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Mud Olympics and Wattstock Music Festival in Brunsbüttel, Germany

Claire — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:55:06 +0000

The Mud Olympics with Wattstock Music Festival in Germany is a famous music festival that usually takes place in late August in the Brunsbüttel town, located on the north-western part of Germany, and lies on the mouth of the Elbe river.

There are several sport games during Olympics where everyone can join (if you reserve places in advance) e.g.:

Mud Football
Mud Tug-o-war
Mud cycling
Mud volleyball
Mud Handball
Mud skiing
Mud snorkeling and much more

The dates for 2011 are the weekend of July 23rd with the music festival on Saturday 23rd July and the Mud Olympics on Sunday 24th July.

These are the German mud olympics; “Wattolümpiade Brunsbüttel” The most popular event is mud football. There’s also mud skiing and bicycle races. Prizes are provided for sporting performances, prizes are awarded in such bizarre categories as Funniest Team Name, Best Fans, and Funniest Team.

If you want to see the craziest mud festival in Europe, do not miss this opportunity.

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České Švýcarsko National Park – climbers’ paradise in Czech republic

Claire — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:09:06 +0000

Czech or Bohemian Switzerland (Czech: České Švýcarsko) is often called climbers’ paradise. If you overcome fear and decide to climb even a small rock you are certainly going to experience unforgettable feelings. But do not try climbing of your own accord. Rather address the local climbing club, where they are ready to help you.

Bohemian Switzerland not only offers the marvellous natural beauty of the National Park and the opportunity to set your mind at ease while there, but also the chance to experience adventures that you will never forget.

Bohemian Switzerland is located in the north-western Czech Republic. It lies on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains north of Děčín on both sides of the Elbe River. It extends eastward into the Lusatian Mountains and westward into the Ore Mountains. Its highest elevation is the mountain Děčínský Sněžník at 726m above sea level. It has been a protected area (as ChKO Labske Piskovce) since 1972.

The region along the right side of the Elbe became a national park on January 1, 2000, the České Švýcarsko National Park. The National Park is adjacent to the Saxon Switzerland National Park (Sächsische Schweiz) in Germany.

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